Nz Vs India

Only downside in thrashing teams for me is that you are not really tested. Doesn’t really prepare you for the World Cup. India top order getting all the batting.

India and England are the favourites this summer no doubt about it but you could have a tricky semi or like a couple of years ago some unknown Pakistan batsman has the time of his life. I guess that’s just sport.

Agreed with Kash, for me the biggest concern will be our middle order. If top order fails, can middle order resurrect the team and win us the game.

Think bowling for me is ready to go. Need to rest Shami, bhuvi and Bumrah properly and make sure they are 100% fit. This will be more or less the pace trio who will play the main matches. And given we can only play 2 pacers, pandya and 2 spinners can’t risk any of them injured.

Glad Kohli is getting a decent break. Think we should give him as much rest as possible. The Aus series at home is a pointless as it can get, might as well give our middle order of MS, Kedar, Rayudu and Karthik a chance to play as many overs as don’t think any of our key players are going to resting in IPL.

Surprised you guys don't want Rayudu in the playing XI. For me he has pretty much performed every time he has been given a start. No stellar name but gets the job done at 4 imo. I personally don't think Karthik is anywhere near good enough to be starting games especially if Dhoni is playing. Kohli also loves Pandya so he is a shoe in to start.

Like Viru said, our bowling is pretty set in stone for the WC - Bhuvi, Shami and Bumrah plus Pandya and the spin twins. Obviously they won't all play but they will form the crux of our bowling. IPL is the only stumbling block in terms of injuries - if I was these players I would try and sit out the IPL although with the millions they get that's not going to happen.

Kav I think what we would ideally want from our no.4 is stability if early wickets fall and quick runs if top 3 play bulk of the overs. The latter will happen more often than not, so it’s crucial Rayudu can accelerate without playing many balls. From what I have seen of him he struggles here. He deffo can provide stability but the difference between winning and losing will be how well our middle order can capitalise on very good starts. In England where boundaries are short we would certainly need extra cushion of runs

Today is a perfect example of how without Kohli this batting unit seems to fall apart. 92 all out even in a dead rubber is not excusable

This is exactly what I fear will happen in the World Cup - we cruise through the group and the first knockout game with our top order scoring 95% of the runs then we get sucker punched in the quarters/semis by getting bowled out for a very low score.

Yeah Kav, we have persisted with quite a few unproven players in the middle order. Rayudu, Karthik and Jadhav have been given so many chances and yet lack the consistency. It’s almost as if we won’t play well if top order don’t score bulk of the runs.

Anyway don’t think this will worry India too much. Think going into the WC India will go with one of the most balanced attacks. Pakistan being the other team with a good attack.

On another note, India go to WI later this year. Don’t think we can take them lightly anymore. They have some outstanding youngsters in their ranks. Will be interesting to watch

Another series win in this format. India are definitely going in as strong favourites of winning the WC this year.

Excellent series win in the end. However questions still remain over that middle over.

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